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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,246 comments Add your comment
JasonInFL
July 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
i would hope the braves are getting money…i mean, if we are going to take on payroll, it shouldn’t be for a marginal upgrade at 1st…
unbelievable
July 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
so people are mad that we traded away Kotchman who isnt that we traded our 1B who has this line .282/.354/.409/.764 for a guy who in his career has posted this line after the allstar break .295/.356/.544/.899.
I think I can see what Wren was going for here
abwright
July 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
I’m still stunned by the Kotchman for LaRoche trade. I liked Adam in ATL, despite that bonehead play. I doubt that this move makes much difference in the overall team’s statistical performance.
My big question…Kotchman was whose Brayan Pena?
beekay
July 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
Everyone complained of Kotch’s lack of power and couldn’t wait for Freeman to come up…now we get power and everone cries about his battin average…something tells me we could have dealt for Adrian Gonzalez and people would moan that his pants were too tight or that he didn’t bunt well…give me a break !! Welcome back Roachie
brent a.
July 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
In a race with a pregnant woman, Kotchman and LaRoche would tie for third.
Chris from the Rock
July 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
Luckily I have a girl with big boobs and a big butt!
Nova Scotia Steve
July 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
LOL
tralfaz
July 31st, 2009
4:20 pm
not about baseball, just so chipper can have someone in the dugout to talk huntin with
recently disgruntled braves fan
July 31st, 2009
4:20 pm
Wren is wretarded!
Nova Scotia Steve
July 31st, 2009
4:20 pm
This is my favorite blog yet
Luke H.
July 31st, 2009
4:20 pm
WHERE IS NS STEVE FROM??? I am likely the only other Nova Scotian on here haha
brent a.
July 31st, 2009
4:20 pm
Which bonehead play was that abwright?
The “Mother’s Day Lolligag”, or the “Game 4 of the NLDS lolligag”?
Epinephrine
July 31st, 2009
4:20 pm
Bravoss, how is he “another lefty bat”? We have the same number of lefties as we did yesterday. It’s pretty amusing watching the idiots hoist themselves by their own petards. Looking back on the comments in this blog is going to be amusing in about a month.
TnBrian
July 31st, 2009
4:21 pm
I agree 100% that this move was based some on the fact with that chemistry thing. I never met, heard the man talk, or even saw him act up while he was here but I feel sure that Casey had the personality of a fish. Not saying LaRoche doesn’t but apparantly Chipper and McLouth are good friends with him and those are two pretty big players on the team.
jeffrey d
July 31st, 2009
4:21 pm
Alright I’m stepping away for awhile. Everyone’s essentially posting the same thing. But I will say this:
Quit acting like Casey Kotchman was a superstar.
TennesseePaul
July 31st, 2009
4:21 pm
Efrim: “Can’t say I really like this move. Also, who is playing first base for us past next season? Starting Freeman there in April would be insane. Perhaps they evaluated the free agent market and saw some cheap first baseman that they could add. Very bizarre trade”
Agreed. I see where it puts more power in the line up, but LaRoche is not consistent with it. I really hope he goes on a two month tirade and belts a lot, but I wouldn’t count on it.
And the future… that is something indeed. Compensation picks are only retreived for type B if arbitration is offered, and some other team signs him prior to the 2010 draft, correct? I don’t see any return coming from LaRoche in that system.
Who’s on first next season? Maybe Canizares? Couldn’t be Freeman. That would ruin him. Turn him into a Schafer.
Perhaps this is the most value they could get for Kotchman. Sort of like Francoeur.
Marc from FL
July 31st, 2009
4:21 pm
For those of you that don’t think Kotch is a better first baseman, then WHY would the Red Sox send us Lorache and money to cover the rest of his salary to get Kotch? Think about it, we got… we go… WE GOT MCGRIFF’D!
MattyRoss
July 31st, 2009
4:21 pm
TDub…can she cook? That’s all that really matters.
The A Bomb
July 31st, 2009
4:21 pm
And next year, what do we do about 1B?
Wait through ANOTHER MISERABLE ADDAM LaRoche April, May and June?
brent a.
July 31st, 2009
4:22 pm
Can someone enlighten me as to LaRoche’s contract status?
When I first heard about the deal, I thought it might be interesting to see what Adam does the next two months.
But, not sure I want to see anymore of him after that.
Dr Hoo
July 31st, 2009
4:22 pm
Why the Pirates got rid of him for two mid-level prospects:
“Why it didn’t work here? At times he was very good and at times it was a struggle,” Pirates GM Neal Huntington said. “He didn’t show a lot of energy, didn’t show a lot of passion and fire, but this was a guy who cared a lot and did a lot of good things for us in the clubhouse.”
monty
July 31st, 2009
4:22 pm
Correct me by all means if I’m wrong but hadn’t Casey’s power stroke been coming on recently? a few Hr’s recently ,doubles and big RBI! I wonder what everyone else on the team thinks about this but Hoss?they’re good buddies)
ship-builder1
July 31st, 2009
4:22 pm
Yall keep sayin stuff bout Adam a better 2nd half player yet he hasnt done anything this 2nd half…
THWG
July 31st, 2009
4:22 pm
Kotchman was Esco’s on the field Brayan Pena. Esco will be very upset when he learns he has to actually throw the ball at LaRoche’s chest, not just somewhere in the vicinity of the bag.
Chop It Up All-star
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
I’m neutral on the trade of Kotchman for LaRoche, but I’m a little disappointed the Braves didn’t address their need for an upgrade in the bullpen.
kelevra
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
and everyone needs to remind themselves that js made the tex deal not wren and yes nobody can deny that was a bad deal for us but when it came time to trade him he only had 2 months left on his contract and he had a below average first half so we got what we could. but leave wren alone because that was not his mess
Nova Scotia Steve
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
Luke
I’m from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Crazy Trades McGee
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
The Red Sox are sending cash… Read DOB’s comments.
David O'Brien
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
Just looking at his career numbers:
LaRoche is a .259 career hitter with a .733 OPS before the All-Star break, and a .295 hitter with a .900 OPS after the break.
VP
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
@ Brent.A
Laroche is a free agent after the year.
MiamiBrave
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
DOB
Just an aside from the trade, been reading some people post what Shanks said about Kotchman
Any insight you can provide on this?
Thanks
Epinephrine
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
Casey’s “power stroke”. Now that’s funny.
brent a.
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
Buster Olney likes it.
Tomas
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
Carroll or DOB, you should make a poll, to see what people think about this trade Good or Bad or Indifferent.
J.T
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
what is this the pirates all-star team in atlanta now?????????/
Rob from SC
July 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
Here is why. LaRoche would not have re-signed with Boston. Next Year Boston lets go of Varitek, moves Martinez to catcher, Youkilis to third and Kotchman plays first.
The trade is fine, I was not a big Kotchman fan and LaRoche is ok. Call Heyward up
GboroBravo
July 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
Jake Peavy Dealt To White Sox Again
By Tim Dierkes [July 31 at 3:22pm CST]
Not sure what to make of this, but SI’s Jon Heyman tweeted that Padres pitcher Jake Peavy was dealt to the White Sox again. Heyman is not sure if Peavy OK’d it. He says the Padres get minor leaguers.
THWG
July 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
Jake Peavy to the White Sox.
BravesFanChris24
July 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
The payroll flexibility of this is an underrated fact in this trade. A lot of people seem to forget it.
Johninnc
July 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
DOB will adam make it in time tonight maybe to PH?
GTSteve
July 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
I feel shocked
Bravedawg
July 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
Brent A – link? Or is it on TV?
Buster Brown
July 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
This is LaRoche’s 162 game average for career
.269 – 25 home runs – 89 rbi
This is a lot better for us than Kotch
UNCBrave
July 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
Kotchman is a little better defensively but LaRoche has hit 25+ HR in 3 straight seasons…
THe only thing that doesn’t make sense is that LaRoche is a FA after this year. If the Braves re-sign him before the end of the year, that makes sense…If Laroche does not get signed before the end of the year, I don’t understand it…
Rob from SC
July 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
Can’t find any news of a Halladay trade
Noah
July 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
Ok after looking at stats I have no problem with this. Kotchman was our #8 hitter so not a huge loss and LaRoche only has 1 error this year so seems ok defensively. OPS is same for both around 770. As long as he doesnt hit 4 or 5 I am good with it.
TennesseePaul
July 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
Well, in LaRoche’s defense…. just look what he did with his last team: .263/.263/.526 He could use some walks, but that power!
What’s that? Only 16 at bats?….
kdbanks
July 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
I’m so confused.
Marc from FL
July 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
So in other words DOB, Laroche is having a below average season by his own standards and so the Red Sox, who regretted the trade immediately when they got him, decided to make it sound like a sweet deal to Wren to send him here plus cash so that the Red Sox could get the best fielding 1B in the majors right now. K, got it. Gawd I’m too mad, taking a break from the ol’ blog.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
This blog is crazy today..We’re at 10 pages hours before the game even starts!!!
UNCBrave
July 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
Buster Brown,
I agree except that Laroche is a FA after this year
ship-builder1
July 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
cant go off his stats in past he his not hitting this year and this is the year we traded for him…dumb
timthebrave
July 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
We can still trade for Jeff Francouer since he hit 30 hr a few years ago as well
Dumbfound
July 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
You people on this blog who don’t think LaRoache isn’t a up grade than Kotchman, Is a FOOL !!!!! That MAN Laroache have far better power than that Slow Dirt Bag Kotchman !! You all are STUPID !!!
Buster Brown
July 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
DOB you are exactly right. A lot better hitter 2nd half for career.
Fluffy McNutter
July 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
DOB
Lots of talk today about Kotchman not being a good guy in the clubhouse. Any truth to that?
MFin04
July 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
Good trade. Not great. Losing Kotchman doesn’t really hurt this team. It’s not like the team suffered defensively with Prado at first. At least not enough to really notice/change the outcome of games.
This trade gives the Braves more power in the middle of the lineup and also makes the 6-8 hitters VERY good. Escobar, Anderson, Diaz/Church are very good hitters to be that low in the order.
It also makes the team faster. Not that Adam is that much faster than Casey, but a slow 7th or 8th hitter is not good, because you can’t easily bunt him over or score on singles. Not Kotchman at least.
I’d rather have a slow power-hitting number 4 guy than a slow contact 8 hitter. Now we can have a little faster guy in the 8th spot, that can get bunted over and score more easily.
Fred Claus
July 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
No one was planning to do this. VMART trigger the whole deal.
Wren reacts, he doesn’t plan.
Pirates called him about McLouth.
Mets called him about Frenchy
For all we know the Sox called the Braves once they snagged VMART.
I see reactions not anything proactive.
Let’s hope hunting buddy chemistry pays off for many b/c Chipper is slumping and is not showing much regular power, McLouth has looked bad at the plate for weeks and LaRoche is hitting 240-ish to go with his 8 errors this year.
I just heard the Phillies, Giants, Marlins, Cards and Rox yawn at this move. The Mets are envious but that goes w/o saying.
Josh from Columbus
July 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
DOB,
I gotta save I’m surprised by this one David. Perhaps there is something in the works to deal LaRoche and someone else for a bat? Not sure but this is just very surprising.
richbrave
July 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
KOTCHMAN for LaROUCHE and financials. Sure looks like a pull out all the stops move to get BC back into the playoffs in 2009. Whew. FRANCOUER with good potential and almost never hurt, in exchange for CHURCH with little upside, and RYAN is hurt all the time. The other blockbuster move toward the playoffs. Funny we don’t seem any closer to either the wild card or the FILTHIES. Well, we’ll have to see how it all plays out, or not.
Goodoleboy58
July 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
Jake Peavy Dealt To White Sox Again
By Tim Dierkes [July 31 at 3:22pm CST]
Not sure what to make of this, but SI’s Jon Heyman tweeted that Padres pitcher Jake Peavy was dealt to the White Sox again. Heyman is not sure if Peavy OK’d it. He says the Padres get minor leaguers. Peavy is currently recovered from a torn ankle tendon.
Ben
July 31st, 2009
4:28 pm
D.O.B. Was Kotchman a cancer in the clubhouse ?
LaRoche Again?
July 31st, 2009
4:28 pm
Did Chipper threaten to boycott games until the Braves brought LaRoche back?
So we move Frenchy and get LaRoache back? This team just amazes me! One step forward and two steps back!
What a joke!
Marc from FL
July 31st, 2009
4:28 pm
The Mets are probably wondering why they didn’t Nick Johnson, lol, if anyone really needed a 1B it was them.
FaninFaytown
July 31st, 2009
4:28 pm
wow Peavy to the white sox
abwright
July 31st, 2009
4:28 pm
brent a. 4:20 pm … “Which bonehead play was that abwright?
The “Mother’s Day Lolligag”, or the “Game 4 of the NLDS lolligag”?
The “Mother’s Day Lolligag” was the one sticking in my mind. That was a classic! Ahhh…good times.
Buster Brown
July 31st, 2009
4:28 pm
You guys are thick skulled idiots. This will be a better deal for us. He will hit for same average as Kotch with more power. Rafeal Belliard had more power than Kotch.
Chris from the Rock
July 31st, 2009
4:28 pm
Peavy traded? Selig has to approve traded involving guys in the DL, right?
Noah
July 31st, 2009
4:29 pm
Who cares about signing LaRoche. For $7 million (his salary this year)you will be able to get a good bat. Last year it would have gotton you Orlando Hudson plus left a few million free. Since salaries have gone down not being tied into a contract is a good thing.
brent a.
July 31st, 2009
4:29 pm
Who had 4:23 PM for “when DOB will post Adam LaRoche’s 2nd half numbers”?
Gone Viral
July 31st, 2009
4:29 pm
DOB: This is what you posted earlier: “He’s making $7.05 million and is eligible for free agency once more before potential free agency after the 2010 season.”
The first one should be arbitration, I think. It’s like this in the main story on AJC as well.
Cheers.
coach smith
July 31st, 2009
4:29 pm
I am be by myself but I understand this completely!
The Braves needed more power and they got it….LaRoche has had 30+hr seasons ….Kotchman will never hit that many
LaRoche is liked here and will do well in the second half in a comfortable position
LaRoche is NOT a real downgrade defensively but is a big upgrade in Power
Also, he is a Free Agent at year’s end and Kotchman has 2 more years of arbitration…the Braves don’t want that! Freeman will likely be here next year or Prado will move to first base and KJ will play 2nd
I don’t think it is a bad deal at all and niether will many of you if LaRoche hits 10-15 hrs the rest of the season
LaRoche Again?
July 31st, 2009
4:29 pm
Oh yeah…. and LaRoche salary is twice what Kotchmans is!
So tell me this makes sense?
MFin04
July 31st, 2009
4:29 pm
LaRoche and Chipper are great friends. If the Braves want to keep Adam after next year, they’ll just send Chipper in to negotiate with Adam.
If they don’t want him, they don’t resign him, it’s that simple.
Bravosss
July 31st, 2009
4:29 pm
Buster Brown
That’s just 13 more RBI/season than Kotchman. And as for the HR, who cares HOW you get the RBI.
Gone Viral
July 31st, 2009
4:29 pm
“Only problem is, WTF does clubhouse etiquette have to do with winning the World Series?”
Everything.
recently disgruntled braves fan
July 31st, 2009
4:30 pm
LaRoche never has his head in the game, this makes absolutely NO SENSE! Kotchman wasn’t the best 1B but he got the job done a lot better than LaRoche ever has….so what if he can add a couple more homers a year, Kotch was way better at handling Escobar’s throws from SS and he was a consistent hitter in an inconsistent bottom of the order.
This move, in no way, helps the Braves for the next 2 months/….
MiaBchBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
4:30 pm
Everyone better hope Cañizares starts at first next year. If Freeman starts next year, they will ruin the poor kid. He needs to spend next year’s first half at MS, then spend the second half at Gwinnett.
If Cañizares can hit between .260-.270, knock in 70, and hit 20 out, it will be a successful bridge to the Heyward & Freeman Era.
CUT NORTON!!!
David O'Brien
July 31st, 2009
4:30 pm
yes, LaRoche free agent after season. I forgot that he played only 110 games his rookie year because of the shoulder injury, but he got service time in that period when on DL
brent a.
July 31st, 2009
4:30 pm
Olney was on TV. Said that LaRoche was “comfortable” in Atlanta, and that he (Olney) now considered Atlanta a “sleeper.”
huh?
July 31st, 2009
4:30 pm
Also hearing the Peavy went to the White Sox.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
July 31st, 2009
4:30 pm
I like the deal for 2009 because you could hope that Casey would hit a few doubles and occasionally run into a pitch and knock it out of the park.
Rochy has legitimate XBH power and makes the middle of the lineup stronger. He *should* produce runs because he has in the past. Kotchman *might* produce runs *if* all the stars were properly aligned, etc. — and he never really has up ’til now.
You do have to wonder what the Braves will do at 1B next year. Unless they’re willing to offer LaR arbitration for one season until Freeman’s ready.
MiaBchBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
4:30 pm
PS – does anyone know LaRoche’s second half split from last season?
MFin04
July 31st, 2009
4:31 pm
The difference in salary has been paid by the Red Sox, I believe DOB said that?
Rob from SC
July 31st, 2009
4:31 pm
I thought Wren called the Pirates about McLouth
Bravosss
July 31st, 2009
4:31 pm
coach smith – LaRoche had one 30+ HR season (32 in ‘06). It’s the only reason his avg is close to 26/yr.
groundfog
July 31st, 2009
4:32 pm
DOB: Was Kotch really that disliked in the clubhouse?
Original Jon
July 31st, 2009
4:32 pm
If we were going to trade our first baseman anyways, then why didnt the Braves try to get V-Mart instead of LaRoche?
Red Sox Nation
July 31st, 2009
4:32 pm
We’ve been trying to find a way to get rid of Laroche for a while, eventually had to pay a team to take him, but thanks Bravos! We’ll gladly take Kotchman off your unappreciative hands. Enjoy Adam’s 10 bombs, .270 AVG, and 5 errors down the stretch!
Efrim
July 31st, 2009
4:32 pm
Tennesee Paul, I think we would probably just have ended up non tendering Kotchman, I guess??? So in turn, it’s just a swap straight up one for one. Wren thinking that LaRoche is just poised to have a better second half than Kotchman offensively. So Kotchman would have been non tendered….so what does that mean for KJ and CHurch?(although I know Johnson still has more value than the other two, right?)
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
July 31st, 2009
4:32 pm
That Peavy story’s funny (”Dealt to the White Sox again”), whether or not it happens.
BravesFanChris24
July 31st, 2009
4:33 pm
Peavy To White Sox Is Official
Pads get Clayton Richard (LHP) , Adam Russell (RHP), Aaron Poreda (LHP) & Dexter Carter (RHP)
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
July 31st, 2009
4:33 pm
Original Jon,
Because V-Mart was going to cost a lot more, maybe?
Luke H.
July 31st, 2009
4:33 pm
NOVA SCOTIA STEVE… me too haha… I’m from Port Hawkesbury. Wait, are you Steve MacArthur by any chance???
huh?
July 31st, 2009
4:33 pm
Original Jon -
CLE was really only looking for pitching. What 2 or 3 pitching prospects would the Indians have gotten from ATL that would be OK for ATL to deal?
MFin04
July 31st, 2009
4:34 pm
You have to look at how a guy fits in the lineup as well.
Casey K was never going to hit higher than the 7 or 8 spot in the order.
LaRoche can hit in the 4/5 spot. That makes the rest of the lineup stronger throughout.
VP
July 31st, 2009
4:34 pm
WOWWWWW!!!!!
Jake Peavy went to the Whitesox.
AlabamaBrave
July 31st, 2009
4:34 pm
Peavy to Pale Hose is official. If they make it to the playoffs, that is one heck of a rotation to go against: Peavy, Gavin Floyd, John Danks, Mark Buehrle
THWG
July 31st, 2009
4:34 pm
Peavy to the White Sox, I’d assume that’s pending Peavy waiving his no trade clause and the commissioner’s office has to approve it since Peavy is on the DL.
Dwight Schrute
July 31st, 2009
4:34 pm
Does anybody have tickets to the gun show?